Project Controls Assistant Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Project Controls Specialist

Job Description

This role focuses on supporting complex construction projects by developing and managing integrated cost and schedule controls for a wide range of infrastructure, mission critical, industrial, electrical, and civil projects. The Project Controls Specialist works closely with project teams to build detailed Primavera P6 schedules, track performance using earned value metrics, and provide clear, data-driven insights that help deliver projects on time and within budget. The position offers exposure to projects ranging in value from several million to over a billion dollars, with the opportunity to start on smaller efforts and progressively take on larger, more complex assignments.

Responsibilities

• Support the Project Controls Manager in implementing standardized project controls processes, tools, and reporting across multiple projects.
• Develop, maintain, and manage detailed project schedules using Primavera P6, including bid schedules built directly from plans and specifications.
• Break down estimates into work breakdown structures and load costs and resources into schedules to create fully cost- and resource-loaded critical path method (CPM) schedules.
• Track and analyze project performance using earned value management metrics such as Planned Value (PV), Earned Value (EV), Cost Performance Index (CPI), and Schedule Performance Index (SPI).
• Communicate key performance indicators (KPIs) clearly to project teams and leadership to support informed decision-making.
• Monitor project progress, update schedules with actual performance data, and identify schedule impacts from delays, changes, or emerging risks.
• Perform schedule variance and cost variance analyses to understand deviations from plan and recommend corrective actions.
• Conduct change order impact analyses to quantify schedule and cost effects and support accurate forecasting.
• Collaborate closely with Project Managers and Field Supervisors to develop and refine work breakdown structures (WBS) and resolve schedule or cost discrepancies.
• Identify, assess, and help mitigate schedule and cost risks by proactively flagging conditions that could impact project objectives.
• Prepare accurate, timely project controls reports and dashboards for internal stakeholders and leadership.
• Assist with training and mentoring project teams on project controls tools, processes, and best practices to improve consistency and discipline.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines and balancing competing priorities.
• Support special initiatives related to project controls, reporting improvements, or process enhancements as needed.
• Coordinate with document control, cost control, and inventory control functions to ensure data accuracy and alignment with project schedules and budgets.
• Perform data entry and quality checks to maintain accurate project controls information in financial and project management systems.

Essential Skills

• At least 5 years of experience as a Project Controls Specialist or in a similar role with a mix of schedule and cost responsibilities.
• Experience in construction project environments, with general construction exposure across any project type.
• Proficiency in project scheduling using Primavera P6, including building and maintaining detailed CPM schedules.
• Strong cost control and cost analysis skills, including experience with cost-loaded schedules and forecasting.
• Hands-on experience with project controls, including project scheduling, project coordination, and earned value analysis.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and broader Microsoft Office tools for data analysis, reporting, and documentation.
• Experience with financial software used for project cost tracking and reporting.
• Knowledge of electrical construction or electrical systems within construction projects.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain schedule and cost information clearly to project teams and leadership.
• High attention to detail and quality control in documentation, reporting, and data entry.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously while meeting deadlines.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Construction Management, or an equivalent technical or related discipline.
• Experience with project controls on infrastructure, industrial, mission critical, electrical, and civil projects.
• Familiarity with inventory control and coordination between office, warehouse, and field operations.
• Experience working with drawings and fabrication workflows in a construction or electrical contracting environment.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with Project Managers, Field Supervisors, and cross-functional teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset.

Work Environment

The role is based in an office located approximately 20 miles from Chicago, with standard hours of 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and an expectation of being in the office five days per week. The office environment includes a large, modern workspace with open cubicles, conference rooms, and a kitchen, supporting collaboration and team interaction. A warehouse is located directly behind the office where drawings are processed and materials are prepared, creating close alignment between office and field operations. The site hosts approximately 150 employees, contributing to a lively and collegial culture. The organization places a strong emphasis on employee happiness, offering regular work events such as meet-and-greet sessions for new employees, quarterly activities, and an annual holiday party. The company has a long history in the region and has received multiple awards for customer satisfaction and employee care. The role involves occasional travel to job sites and other locations throughout the Midwest, typically in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan, with all travel expenses covered. Projects span a wide range of sectors, including commercial buildouts, new buildings, healthcare facilities, data centers, universities, hotels, laboratories, government facilities, and office buildings, providing exposure to diverse and complex electrical and construction environments.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Willowbrook, IL.

The pay range for this position is $52.88 - $55.29/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Willowbrook,IL.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 5, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.